CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The provincial government of Pampanga targets to establish a tuberculosis (TB) free province.
This came as the Pampanga Multisectoral Stakeholder Alliance (PMSA) held its meeting at the Executive House inside the Provincial Capitol building this Wednesday.
According to Provincial Health Officer Dr. Marcelo Jaochico, the target is in line with the National TB Control Program (NTP) of the Department of Health (DOH) which aims to achieve a TB free Philippines by detecting at least 90% of the estimated number of all forms of TB and successfully treating at least 90% of all forms of TB cases enrolled to treatment using the Directly Observed Treatment, Short Course (DOTS) Strategy.
It can be noted that in 2014Pampanga exceeded the national target with a 93% Case Detection Rate (CSR) and 91% Treatment Success Rate (TSR).
Despite the high detection and cure rate, Jaochico disclosed that some municipalities still lag behind and are below the 90% CDR and TSR target.
Jaochico said, PMSA wants to strengthen the Pampanga TB Program by sustaining the baseline accomplishments and continue to assist the areas that have low CDR and TSR.
“We recognize that TB affects everyone and thus each person is a stakeholder that must be served by the TB Control Program of Pampanga. It is our duty to expand as an MSA and link up with other sectors and network to promote a TB-free Pampanga,” said Jaochico.
“Our plan contributes to the 2010-2016 Philippine Plan of Action to Control TB (PhilPACT) that serves as guide to the attainment of the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) and thus our Pampanga MSA adopts the 8 PhilPACT strategies,” Jaochico added.
Joachico also cited the contribution of the pulmonary ward in all 11 district hospitals, creation of Nurses ni Nanay sa Nayon, provision of vehicle to 505 barangays in the province, the strong support to the barangay health workers, and Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda’s aggressive effort in fighting TB which helps in the achievement of CSR and TSR target.
By Liezel Cayanan
